U.S. patent number 6,615,248 [Application Number 09/374,781] was granted by the patent office on 2003-09-02 for method and system for presenting content selection options.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Pitney Bowes Inc.. Invention is credited to Kim C. Smith.
United States Patent |
6,615,248 |
Smith |
September 2, 2003 |
Method and system for presenting content selection options
Abstract
A method and system for enabling content from a plurality of
content sources of one or more types to be searched, displayed, and
easily accessed for consumption. A user may concurrently view a
plurality of display areas, including a tuned media display area, a
page index display area, a search results area, an area for
displaying links to alternate guides or search engines. The page
index area includes links to pages that contain search results, as
well as links to user defined category pages. The search results
area displays search results as user-selectable links. Associated
with each displayed search result are additional selectable objects
that allows a user to search for related content. A display options
feature allows a user to select the level of detail presented in
the other display areas.
Inventors: |
Smith; Kim C. (Colleyville,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Pitney Bowes Inc. (Stamford,
CT)
|
Family
ID: |
23478179 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/374,781 |
Filed: |
August 16, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/217; 709/219;
707/E17.141; 707/E17.009 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
16/40 (20190101); G06F 16/438 (20190101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
17/30 (20060101); G06F 015/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;709/217,219,203,250,231
;707/10 ;345/721,781 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
198 14 254 |
|
Oct 1998 |
|
DE |
|
0 749 081 |
|
Dec 1996 |
|
EP |
|
0 854 645 |
|
Jul 1998 |
|
EP |
|
WO 97 13368 |
|
Apr 1997 |
|
WO |
|
WO 98 43183 |
|
Oct 1998 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
Microsoft Webtv, "what is WebTV?",
URL:http://www.webtv.net/intro/whatis.html. .
PowerVu(TM) Digital Video Compression Systems advertisement;
Satellite Television Networks; "Power Vu .RTM. Digital Video
Compression Systems" Copyright.COPYRGT. 1995,1996,1997,1998
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Jun. 98, URL:
http://www.sciatl.com/d/satellitetvnetworks/products/powervu/powervu.html.
.
Bell South advertisement, "Interactive Program Guide", Jun. 98,
URL: http://www.bims.bellsouth.net/tour/mmds 8.html. .
PC Magazine Online-Copyright.COPYRGT. 1997, Microsoft Internet
Explorer 4.0, URL:
http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/features/jit/browser/msie4.htm..
|
Primary Examiner: Sheikh; Ayaz
Assistant Examiner: Tran; Philip B.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Chaclas; Angelo N. Malandra;
Charles A. Macdonald; George M.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/354,052 filed Jul. 15, 1999
entitled "A Method of Searching Across Media and Source Types," of
common assignee herewith, Spotware Technologies, Inc., Reference
No. 98-0883, incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/298,006 filed Apr. 22, 1999
entitled "A Method of Creating Default Lists of Content of Probable
Interest," of common assignee herewith, Gateway Reference No.
98-0884, incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/299,826 filed Apr. 26, 1999
entitled "Method of Maintaining Search Results Pages," of common
assignee herewith, Gateway Reference No. 98-0881, incorporated
herein by reference.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/298,005 filed Apr. 22, 1999
entitled "Universal Content Database Structured Around Relationship
Being Like," of common assignee herewith, Gateway Reference No.
98-0882, incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for searching, accessing and displaying data from
various content sources through a single user interface comprising
the following steps: providing a first user selectable object via
said single user interface; providing a second user selectable
object via said single user interface; said first user selectable
object being a link to a first content source, wherein said first
content source is a data source of probable user interest based
upon user preferences and habits; said second user selectable
object being a link to a second content source, wherein said second
content source differs from said first content source; receiving a
user generated search query; searching through data available from
said first content source and from said second content source for
data related to said user generated search query; displaying
results of data found from at least one of said first content
source or said second content source determined to be related to
said user generated search query, storing said found data related
to said user generated search query in an updated page link;
enabling subsequent retrieval of said stored found data via said
updated page link without requiring a corresponding subsequent
search; providing a page index comprising said updated page link;
and providing a user with a first selectable link for accessing a
first relevant data from said found data.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first content source is an
electronic program guide.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said second content source is the
Internet.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
displaying a third selectable object associated with said first
relevant data; and enabling said third selectable object to
initiate a search for data related to said first relevant data from
a third content source.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing
a display options object for controlling a level of detail
presented.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying
tuned media content concurrently with a display of said first and
second user selectable objects.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said user preferences and habits
are based upon a usage pattern associated with a time of day.
8. A system for searching, accessing and displaying data from
various content sources through a single user interface comprising:
at least one processor; memory operably associated with said
processor; and a program of instructions configured to be executed
by said processor and stored in said memory, said program of
instructions including instructions configured to execute the
following steps: providing a first user selectable object via said
single user interface; providing a second user selectable object
via said single user interface; said first user selectable object
being a link to a first content source, wherein said first content
source is a data source of probable user interest based upon user
preferences and habits; said second user selectable object being a
link to a second content source, wherein said second content source
differs from said first content source; receiving a user generated
search query; searching through data available from said first
content source and from said second content source for data related
to said user generated search query; displaying results of data
found from at least one of said first content source or said second
content source determined to be related to said user generated
search query, and providing a user with a first selectable link for
accessing a first relevant data from said found data; wherein said
program of instructions is further configured to store said found
data related to said user generated search query in an updated page
link, to enable subsequent retrieval of said stored found data via
said updated page link without requiring a corresponding subsequent
search, and to provide a page index comprising said updated page
link.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein said first content source is an
electronic program guide.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein said second content source is
the Internet.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein said program of instructions is
further configured to display a third selectable object associated
with said first relevant data, and enabling said third selectable
object to initiate a search for data related to said first relevant
data from a third content source.
12. The system of claim 8, wherein said program of instructions is
further configured to provide a display options object for
controlling a level of detail presented.
13. The system of claim 8, wherein said program of instructions is
further configured to display tuned media content concurrently with
a display of said first and second user selectable objects.
14. The system of claim 8, wherein said user preferences and habits
are based upon a usage pattern associated with a time of day.
15. A computer readable medium tangibly embodying a program of
instructions implementing a method for searching, accessing and
displaying data from various content sources through a single user
interface comprising the following steps: providing a first user
selectable object via said single user interface; providing a
second user selectable object via said single user interface; said
first user selectable object being a link to a first content
source, wherein said first content source is a data source of
probable user interest based upon user preferences and habits; said
second user selectable object being a link to a second content
source, wherein said second content source differs from said first
content source; receiving a user generated search query; searching
through data available from said first content source and from said
second content source for data related to said user generated
search query; displaying results of data found from at least one of
said first content source or said second content source determined
to be related to said user generated search query; storing said
found data related to said user generated search query in an
updated page link; enabling subsequent retrieval of said stored
found data via said updated page link without requiring a
corresponding subsequent search; providing a page index comprising
said updated page link; and providing a user with a first
selectable link for accessing a first relevant data from said found
data.
16. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein said first
content source is an electronic program guide.
17. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein said second
content source is the Internet.
18. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein said method
further comprises the steps of: displaying a third selectable
object associated with said first relevant data; and enabling said
third selectable object to initiate a search for data related to
said first relevant data from a third content source.
19. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein said method
further comprises the step of providing a display options object
for controlling a level of detail presented.
20. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein said method
further comprises the step of displaying tuned media content
concurrently with a display of said first and second user
selectable objects.
21. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein said user
preferences and habits are based upon a usage pattern associated
with a time of day.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to methods of searching for
available media content; and more particularly, to a method of
searching across multiple media content sources via a single user
interface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Interactive user interfaces, ranging from the simple to the
extremely elaborate, can be found in many devices. Digital watches
are an example of one of the simplest interactive user interfaces.
To use the interface provided with most digital watches for
adjusting the time, a user presses a button causing the watch's
screen to flash, thereby signaling the user that the watch is ready
to receive further input. At that point, the user usually depresses
another button and holds the button down until the correct desired
time is displayed. After the desired time is displayed, another
button is pushed, and normal timekeeping operation is resumed. This
is, of course, one of the most rudimentary examples of an
interactive user interface. When most people talk about interactive
user interfaces, they are referring to more complex user interfaces
like the ones used on personal computers. These interfaces allow
users to perform actions like changing screen colors, changing the
size of elements within the display, changing which elements are
displayed, and changing the manner in which they are displayed,
merely by touching a button. Somewhere between these two extremes
lie the vast majority of interactive user interfaces.
A common user interface that falls between the two extremes of a
digital watch and a computer interface is an Electronic Program
Guide (EPG). EPGs allow users not only to display information, but
also to search through the information using various keys. The
search results can be used to schedule reminders to be displayed at
designated times, schedule program recording, or perform any number
of other functions.
However, EPGs are limited by their very nature. They are designed
to display broadcast program listings and to perform simple
selection options, which they do very well, but unfortunately,
program guides generally do not contain information for media types
other than normal broadcast media. In addition, most EPGs have
complex and detailed menu systems which users must slog through to
find a desired program. In some current products, an Internet web
browser is displayed on the same display device used for displaying
television programs, possibly in hopes of providing users easy
access to Internet media. However, search engines available on the
Internet are often as difficult, if not more difficult, to use than
EPG menu systems.
A shortcoming of both EPGs and Internet search engines is that they
both function efficiently only within limited domains. While web
sites may be found on the Internet that contain program listings,
finding program listings using one of the common Internet search
engines such as Yahoo would be anything but easy for a majority of
people. Another problem with many search utilities, particularly
those used in EPGs, is that they do not maintain an index of past
search results. For example, if a user were to perform a search to
identify all football games that were showing on a particular day
and then later, the user tried to identify all the basketball games
that were showing that day, the user would have to repeat the
football game search if he wanted to go back and find the
information about the football games again. Some Internet browsers
actually do maintain a record of previous pages visited. However,
they do not maintain a record of search results. Each time a search
is performed, the previous search results are reset. Another
drawback of current EPG technology is that many times, if a user
wishes to perform a search, particularly an advanced search, the
EPG fills the whole display without leaving space for a program
currently being viewed by the user.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, EPGs are not designed to
identify items of probable user interest from user preferences and
habits. For example, suppose that a user watches the 5 o'clock news
every weekday at 5:00 p.m. If the user had searched for action
movies Sunday night and did not use the EPG again until Monday at
5:00 p.m., most EPGs currently in use would initially display the
"action movie" search screen or possibly a standard startup screen
when, in fact, the user wants to find news programs.
Therefore, what is needed is a user interface, method, system,
signal and software that provide a single user interface where
content of probable user interest, associated with a plurality of
content sources of one or more types, can be searched, displayed
and easily accessed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for searching,
accessing and displaying data from various content sources through
a single user interface. The method comprises providing a first
user selectable object via the single user interface, and providing
a second user selectable object via the single user interface. The
first user selectable object being a link to a first content
source, and the second user selectable object being a link to a
second content source, wherein the second content source differs
from the first content source. The method also comprises receiving
a user generated search query; searching through data available
from the first content source and from the second content source
for data related to the user generated search query; displaying
results of data found from the first content source and/or the
second content source determined to be related to the user
generated search query. The method further provides a user with a
first selectable link for accessing a first relevant data from the
found data.
The present invention further provides a system for searching,
accessing and displaying data from various content sources through
a single user interface. The system comprises at least one
processor, memory operably associated with the processor, and a
program of instructions configured to be stored in the memory and
executed by the processor. The program of instructions is
configured to implement a method comprising providing a first user
selectable object via the single user interface, and providing a
second user selectable object via the single user interface. The
first user selectable object being a link to a first content
source, and the second user selectable object being a link to a
second content source, wherein the second content source differs
from the first content source. The method implemented also
comprises receiving a user generated search query; searching
through data available from the first content source and from the
second content source for data related to the user generated search
query; displaying results of data found from the first content
source and/or the second content source determined to be related to
the user generated search query. The method implemented by the
program of instructions further provides a user with a first
selectable link for accessing a first relevant data from the found
data.
Additionally, the present invention provides a computer readable
medium tangibly embodying a program of instructions for searching,
accessing and displaying data from various content sources through
a single user interface. The program of instructions comprises the
steps of providing a first user selectable object via the single
user interface, and providing a second user selectable object via
the single user interface. The first user selectable object being a
link to a first content source, and the second user selectable
object being a link to a second content source, wherein the second
content source differs from the first content source. The program
of instructions also comprises receiving a user generated search
query; searching through data available from the first content
source and from the second content source for data related to the
user generated search query; displaying results of data found from
the first content source and/or the second content source
determined to be related to the user generated search query. The
program of instructions further provides a user with a first
selectable link for accessing a first relevant data from the found
data.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a single user
interface where content information from a plurality of content
sources and types can be searched, displayed, and easily accessed
for consumption.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a user
interface configured to initially display items of probable user
interest.
An advantage of the present invention is that it provides the
ability to search for content across a plurality of content sources
of one or more types.
A further advantage of the present invention is that it allows
users to go directly to consuming content identified in a search by
selecting a displayed object.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows a user
to initiate a subsequent search for media content based upon items
returned by an initial search.
An additional advantage of the present invention is that it
provides links to specialized search engines.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the initial
states of the displayed menus are configured to include items of
probable user interest.
Another advantage of the present invention is that a plurality of
objects may be displayed concurrently with tuned media content.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects, advantages, features and characteristics of the
present invention, as well as methods, operation and functions of
related elements of structure, and the combination of parts and
economies of manufacture, will become apparent upon consideration
of the following description and claims with reference to the
accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this
specification, wherein like reference numerals designate
corresponding parts in the various figures, and wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed block diagram showing a computer
system according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed block diagram showing a convergence
system according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 shows the desktop of a computer operating system's user
interface typically employed on a computer system as in FIGS. 1 and
2, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates the user interface of the present invention
prior to utilization according to a preferred embodiment; and
FIG. 5 illustrates the user interface of FIG. 4 after a search has
been performed according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
In the following detailed description of preferred embodiments,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part
hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific
preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced.
These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable
those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical,
mechanical and/or electrical changes may be made without departing
from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not
necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
invention, the description may omit certain information known to
those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is,
therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of
the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.
A representative hardware environment for practicing the present
invention is depicted in FIG. 1 which illustrates a typical
hardware configuration of an information handling system 100 in
accordance with the present invention, having a central processing
unit (CPU) 105 such as a conventional microprocessor and a number
of other units interconnected via at least one system bus 110.
Information handling system 100 may be, for example, a portable or
desktop Gateway computer or a Gateway Destination system (Gateway
and Destination are trademarks of Gateway, Inc.). Information
handling system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes random access memory
(RAM) 115, read-only memory (ROM) 120 wherein the ROM 120 could
also be erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) or
electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and
input/output (I/O) adapter 125 for connecting peripheral devices
such as a disk unit 130 and a tape drive 135 to system bus 110, a
user interface adapter 140 for connecting a keyboard 145, a mouse
150, a speaker 155, a microphone 160, and/or other user interface
devices to system bus 110, a communications adapter 165 for
connecting information handling system 100 to an information
network such as the Internet, and a display adapter 170 for
connecting system bus 110 to a display device such as monitor 175.
The mouse 150 typically has a first button and a second button, 180
and 185b respectively, and is used to control a cursor (not shown)
displayed on the monitor 175.
Referring next to FIG. 2, a system 200 is shown in general detail.
Reference numerals or letters in FIG. 2 which are like, similar, or
identical to the reference numerals or letters of FIG. 1 indicate
like, similar, or identical components or features. External to
system 200 is satellite 203 which, in one preferred embodiment, is
a HS601 model operated by Hughes at a 101 degree west longitude
geosynchronous orbital location. Satellite 203 transmits signals
comprising 150 channels of modulated digital video, audio, and data
at a frequency of about 12 GHz. The satellite signals are received
by system 200 by antenna 206 containing a low noise block converter
amplifier. Antenna 206 is preferably about 18 inches in diameter
and receives left-hand and right-hand circularly polarized signals
between 12.2 and 12.7 GHz. Antenna 206 provides a "down
converted-spectrum" signal between 950 and 1450 MHz via a coaxial
cable or other suitable communication medium 209 to information
handling system 100 such as a personal computer or other system or
circuitry capable of processing data. Suitable antennas 206 are
already being manufactured and sold by RCA corporation by direct
sales and through numerous major retail chains such as Radio
Shack.
System 100 contains circuitry and software to further process
signals from the antenna, generally demodulating and decoding the
signal to produce a VGA (video graphics adapter) signal. The VGA
signal is provided via standard VGA compatible monitor cable 212 to
drive large screen data quality monitor 175 suitable for viewing in
a family room or entertainment room environment. System 100
provides for user input by means of remote controls 215 and 145.
Remote control 215 comprises a hand-held size device with standard
television controls and a numeric keypad and, in one embodiment,
video cassette recorder (VCR) controls and a pointing device. It
provides radio frequency (RF) or infrared (IR) control signals
received by system 100. Remote control 145 is a full function
personal computer keyboard with additional standard television and
VCR controls, a pointing device which is preferably in the form of
a touchpad, and it also provides RF control signals to system 100.
RF control signals were selected over IR or hardwired in one
embodiment due to its benefits in a home entertainment environment.
Monitor cable 212 is a standard type cable typically used on VGA
display devices and comprises up to 15 electrical conductors
interfacing with monitor 175 in a D-series shell connector. In one
embodiment, full multimedia sourcing and destinationing of
audio/video/data (A/V/D) broadcast are provided for. Although the
embodiment presented herein discusses the use of VGA signals, it
should be mentioned that with an appropriate change in hardware,
National Television Standard Committee (NTSC) compliant signals and
NTSC compliant hardware will employ the present invention in the
manner mentioned herein.
Information handling system 100 may include a tuner 280, tuner
circuitry, or card capable of both tuning to multiple channels and
receiving television information or signals in the form of the NTSC
or Phase Alteration Line (PAL) form from any medium carrying
signals from satellite dish 206 which provides digital A/V/D
signals from such sources as DirecTV or Primestar (DirecTV and
Primestar are trademarks of their respective companies). In another
such embodiment, the signals carried on medium 209 provide analog
A/V such as NTSC antenna signals. In another such embodiment, the
signal carried on medium 218 from camera 221 provides analog A/V
such as NTSC audio/video signals. In further embodiments, the
signal carried on medium 224 from cable-data source 227 provides
analog and/or digital A/V/D. In further such embodiments, the
signal carried on medium 230 from Public Switched Telephone Network
(PSTN) 233 provides data or phone signals such as integrated
services digital network (ISDN) or plain old telephone system
(POTS) signals. In one set of such embodiments, system 100 is
programmed to automatically record analog signals such as
television programming onto recordable media such as a video tape
in VCR 236 coupled to cable 239. In another such set of
embodiments, system 100 is programmed to automatically record
digital signals such as digital television programming, Digital
Versatile Disk (DVD) programming, or compact disk read-only memory
(CD-ROM) type audio onto recordable media such as recordable
compact disks in CD/DVD jukebox 242 coupled to cable 245. CD/DVD
jukebox 242 also plays CDs, CD-ROMs, or DVDs for use elsewhere. In
another such embodiment, signals are sent to stereo surround system
248 for audio output to one or more speakers 155 and on cable 251
to TV 254. In one such embodiment, earphones 257 on cable 260 and
game pad 263 on cable 266 provide additional input/output through
remote control 145. Home network 269 is "smart wiring" used to
transmit data and control within the home, coupled by cable 272 to
system 100. Videoblaster 275 provides video signal processing on
cable/connector 278. Cables 224, 209, 230, 218, 251, 239, 278, 245,
260, and 153 are examples of communications links that can be wired
coupling or wireless, such as RF or IR.
One example of convergence system 200 is the Destination System
using the DestiVu user or media interface manufactured and sold by
Gateway 2000, Inc. In this manner, convergence system 200 is a
fully functional computer integrated with a television, providing
TV viewing (via broadcast, cable, satellite, VCR, digital disk, or
other broadcast media) and personal computing functionality. This
convergence of computer and television provides a user with
combined access to both television programs and information and
computer-related functionality such as computer information and
programs and Internet access.
Although many of today's televisions employ many of the same
hardware resources employed by computers such as information
handling system 100, it is possible that the present invention
might be practiced in other electronic devices or networked
electronic devices. For example, with the development of
audio/video networking such as the recently proposed HAVi standard,
television sets or other audio/video devices such as audio/video
receivers and VCRs that do not themselves contain such resources
could implement the present invention by using the resources of
other devices on a network.
Referring next to FIG. 3, a detail of an operating system's
graphical user interface, or GUI, as is typically displayed on
monitor 175 in accordance with the present invention is
illustrated. Reference numerals or letters in FIG. 3 which are
like, similar, or identical to the reference numerals or letters of
FIGS. 1-2 indicate like, similar, or identical components or
features. The operating system shown in FIG. 3 is IBM's OS/2 (OS/2
is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation).
However, the present invention will work with DestiVu, Windows 98,
Windows 95 (DestiVu is a trademark of Gateway, Inc. and Windows 98
and Windows 95 are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation), or any
other graphical user interface. This GUI includes cursor 300,
desktop 305, three icons 310, a first window and a second window,
315 and 320 respectively, and dialog box 325, all of which are well
known in the art. Dialog box 325 further contains a first and a
second button, 330 and 335 respectively. Programs are represented
by the graphical user interface as either icons 310 or windows 315
or 320. The horizontal region along the top of a the first and
second windows, 315 and 320, are called a first title bar and a
second title bar, 340 and 345 respectively. A program window 315 or
320 has the "focus" when it has been designated by the user or by
the operating system to receive input from keyboard 145 or mouse
150. In OS/2.RTM., the user gives the window focus by clicking a
mouse button 180 or 185 when cursor 300 is inside that window. Some
operating systems, however, give a window the focus merely whenever
cursor 300 is present within that window. The operating system
indicates which program has the focus by changing the color of the
focused window's title bar, 340 or 345.
A system for implementing the preferred embodiment of the present
invention has been described in the previous paragraphs. A user
interface practiced by a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, is described next.
Reference numerals or letters in FIGS. 4 and 5 which are like,
similar, or identical to the reference numerals or letters of FIGS.
1-3 indicate like, similar, or identical components or
features.
Referring first to FIG. 4, a user interface of the present
invention is illustrated. There are five basic display areas
implemented by the present invention, 410, 420, 430, 450 and 470.
The first area, tuned media display area 410 is for displaying
tuned media content. Tuned media display area 410 uses an entire
available display area 400 when no other objects are displayed.
This means that when a user is viewing tuned media content, for
instance a broadcast television program, and not displaying any
search or program information, the tuned media content is viewed at
full size. If, however, a user decides that they want to access
information relating to a program they are viewing or if they wish
to conduct a search for another program, then tuned media display
area 410 can be scaled to take up only a portion of the screen,
thereby allowing other areas generated by the present invention,
such as areas 420, 430, 450 and 470, to be displayed. Tuned media
display area 410 is not restricted to displaying only broadcast
media streams; it can also display content of other types or from
other sources such as Internet information, cable television
programs, satellite programs, or even a pre-recorded video cassette
or DVD program.
Still referring to FIG. 4, page index area 450 includes user
selectable links, such as default category guide page links 451, to
pages containing categorized information. The pages containing
categorized information are maintained in a page index. In one
embodiment of the present invention, the page index includes user
selectable links to a TV page, a home theater page, a games page, a
web page, and a music page. These pages contain categorized
information, possibly provided by a user, about preferred media
content. A preferred embodiment of the present invention does not
require a user to enter preferences, but manually entering user
preferences may be supported. As an example (not illustrated) of
how user preferences could be entered into category pages, suppose
that a user enjoys listening to a local country music station KTRY,
a rock music station KROK, and an easy listening station KEZZ. In
one embodiment of the present invention, users can conduct searches
for currently available radio stations using one of the user
selectable objects configured to initiate searches for content
information such as EPG 431, DVD 432, Games 433, Web Search 434, or
Music Guide 435, accessible through the present invention's user
interface. A list of currently available radio stations is then
displayed in search results area 420. Once a list is displayed, a
user can select which stations to add to the music page, thereby
creating a list of favorite radio stations. From then on, whenever
the user selects the default category guide Music 453, his favorite
radio stations, KTRY, KROK, and KEZZ, will be displayed in Search
Results Area 420. Similar methods can be used to store information
in other default category guide page links 451. In a preferred
method of the present invention, a user can select which category
guides are initially displayed when the system is started.
As shown in FIG. 5, in addition to displaying default category
guide page links 451 each time Graphical User Interface 400 is
initialized, an updated category guide page link such as Games Like
552, Action Movies 554, or Dramas 555 is added to the page index
every time a unique search is performed. For example, suppose a
user is looking for something to watch on television, and the user
initiates a search for action movies currently showing, using EPG
431. Only two action movies are returned by the search, and the
user is not interested. The user next initiates a search for dramas
currently showing. Four dramas are returned as a result of the
search, but again the user is not interested. If the user changes
his mind and decides to go back and see what action movies are
showing, he does not need to initiate another search using EPG 431.
Instead, he can simply go to Updated Page Index Area 550 and select
Action Movies 554 to display the results of his previous search for
action movies. Updated Page Index Area 550 is not reset with each
new search, but instead, each search is saved until either the user
discards the search results or the user terminates the session. If
there are too many page links to be displayed at one time in page
index area 450 or updated page index area 550, scroll bar 460 is
generated allowing the user to easily move through the list of
indexed pages.
The next area to be discussed is Search Results Area 420. As
mentioned in the previous paragraph, search results area 420
displays information returned from searches initiated through one
of the present invention's user selectable objects 431,432,433,434,
435 or user selectable page links 451. Additional selectable
objects Related Similar 422 (shown as Related Game 422 in FIGS. 4
and 5) and Related Any 423 will be discussed in further detail
below. The search results are preferably displayed in a hyperlink
format that allows a user to select an item for immediate
consumption simply by clicking on hyperlinked titles 524. In a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, hyperlinked titles
524 are the names of programs returned as a result of a search, but
hyperlinked titles 524 can take other forms such as buttons or
icons of some sort. Below each item returned as a result of a
search, the present invention implements objects Related Similar
422 and Related Any 423. These objects, which can take the form of
user-selectable buttons, allow users to easily initiate a search
for currently available media content related to hyperlinked titles
524. Object related similar 422 accesses a search routine for
finding similar content only within the same media category as a
displayed item. Object Related Any 423 accesses a search mechanism
that returns related media items and relevant data regardless of
what media category those items are in.
Data, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
includes, but is not limited to, video and audio content,
electronic representations of written or printed material; and
information available through the Internet, program guides,
electronic catalogs, and databases. The present invention is not
limited to only the data types listed; one skilled in the art can
employ other data types without departing from the spirit and scope
of the present invention.
In a preferred embodiment, the user is able to directly enter a
"search query" in query entry 440 and select the Object Related Any
423 option to search across various content sources, such as an
EPG, the Internet, Games, Music Guide, etc., for relevant data
relating to the "search query", rather than having to conduct an
initial content specific search before being able to select the
Object Related Any 423 search option.
Referring back to FIG. 4, for example, suppose a user has selected
default category page link Games 452 from Page Index Area 450. The
present invention has returned selectable links, Hyperlinked Titles
424, which are displayed in Search Results Area 420. The selectable
links, Hyperlinked Titles 424, may be Monopoly and Risk, for
example. Below each of the selectable links, Hyperlinked Titles
424, objects Related Similar 422 (more specifically, Related Game
422) and Related Any 423 are displayed. Object Related Similar 422,
if selected, would initiate a search for similar items within the
games category, Object Related Any 423, if selected, would initiate
a search for similar media content across any media type. Suppose,
for instance, that the user is considering the game of Risk. If the
user were to select Related Similar 422 to find games similar to
Risk, the present invention may return the game of chess, but it
would not return information on a news broadcast covering Bobby
Fisher. However, if the user had selected Related Any 423, which
initiates a search for related items and relevant data, regardless
of the media type or category; not only might the game of chess be
returned but so might a news article about Bobby Fisher. The
present invention may also return an Internet address relating to
chess, such as www.chess.com. Referring again to FIG. 5, if a
search was initiated by selecting either Related Similar 422 or
Related Any 423, the present invention would add an updated page
link such as Games Like 552 in Updated Page Index Area 550. Adding
an updated page link such as Games Like 552, Action Movies 554 or
Dramas 555 for each unique search allows users to back-track easily
and quickly find desired media content.
Alternative guide area 430 provided in a preferred embodiment of
the present invention can be used to display user-selectable
objects EPG 431, DVD 432, Games 433, Web Search 434 or Music Guide
435 providing access to information selection mechanisms, including
alternate media guides EPG 431 and Music Guide 435, and search
engine selection mechanisms DVD 432, Games 433 and Web Search 434.
These objects are provided in anticipation of the event that a user
may not want to use Default Category Guide page links 451 provided
by the present invention. For instance, user selectable object EPG
431 may access an EPG provided by a local cable company, and user
selectable object Web Search 434 may access a web browser or
possibly an Internet search engine such as Yahoo. Alternatively,
utilizing a user selectable object, such as EPG 431, could cause
information from an alternate guide, such as an EPG, to be
displayed in Search Results Area 420 in a manner consistent with
the display of results from searches initiated utilizing Updated
Page Index Area 550.
Providing default category page links 451, and user selectable
objects Related Similar 422 and Related Any 423, allows basic
users, or users unfamiliar with advanced search techniques, to
easily find content across many kinds of media. Access to alternate
guides EPG 431 and Music Guide 435, search engine selection
mechanisms DVD 432 and Games 433, and Web Search 434 allow advanced
users, or those more comfortable searching detailed specific
guides, to search in a manner that they prefer.
The final display item is Display Options Button 470, which allows
users to control the amount of detail included in the displayed
information throughout the various display areas. In a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, Display Options Button 470 is
designed to toggle the level of displayed information between a
detailed level of information about programs identified during a
search, and a cursory level of information, such as a program's
title.
Each of the display areas discussed has some initial, or default,
state to use when system 100, implementing the present invention,
is initially powered on or when a new user session is started. The
initial state can be dictated by a user's formal input, as
described earlier. However, a preferred embodiment of the present
invention provides for the initial state of tuned media display
area 410, Page Index Display Area 450, and Search Results Area 420
to include items of probable user interest identified from user
preferences and habits.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will display, in
tuned media display area 410, whatever is being currently viewed
when the user interface is invoked. In one embodiment of the
present invention, when system 100 of the present invention is
initially started, it will display whatever channel was being
viewed at the end of the last session, whether the channel was an
Internet browser, a game, or a television show. In one embodiment
of the present invention, the channel displayed may be whatever
channel the system is normally tuned to at that time of day, based
upon some pattern found by examining user preferences and
habits.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the search results area could, in a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, initially display
the contents of the page linked to default category page link Games
452 if an analysis of user preferences and habits indicates that
this particular user normally plays chess at 5:00 p.m. If there
were no clear usage pattern, or if directed by the user, the system
could display information included in the page linked to default
category page link TV 451.
In a preferred method of the present invention, page index area 450
would initially contain default category page links 451 defined by
the user. However, if a clear pattern of, for example, using an
Internet browser to search for news articles were indicated by an
analysis of user preferences and habits, a link to default category
page links 451 containing the users favorite news locations could
be displayed.
Although an embodiment of the present invention has been shown and
described in detail herein, along with certain variants thereof,
many other varied embodiments that incorporate the teachings of the
invention may be easily constructed by those skilled in the art.
Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to
the specific form set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is
intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and
scope of the invention.
Although the invention has been described with a certain degree of
particularity, it should be recognized that elements thereof may be
altered by persons skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. One of the preferred
implementations of the invention is as sets of instructions
resident in the random access memory 115 of one or more computer or
information handling systems configured generally as described in
FIGS. 1-6. Until required by the computer system, the set of
instructions may be stored in another computer readable memory
(i.e., in a hard disk drive, a removable memory such as an optical
disk for eventual use in a CD-ROM drive, or a floppy disk for
eventual use in a floppy disk drive). Further, the set of
instructions can be stored in the memory of another computer or
encoded or embodied in a signal, such as an analog or digital
signal, embodied in a propagation medium and transmitted over the
propagation medium by a user. The propagation medium may include a
local area network or a wide area network, such as the Internet, or
other propagation medium. One skilled in the art would appreciate
that the physical storage or encoding of the sets of instructions
physically changes the medium upon which it is stored or encoded
electrically, magnetically, or chemically so that the medium
carries computer readable instructions and other information. The
invention is limited only by the following claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *
References